How To Downsize Before a Move

One of the benefits of moving is the opportunity to do a deep purge of your possessions. It’s no secret that most Americans own more than they need, but few have spare time or motivation to declutter and organize throughout the year. Moving gives you the push you need to finally purge old or unused items so you can start life in your new house afresh.

But purging items, especially when useful or sentimental, can be mentally draining and time-consuming. Is there a way to make the process faster and easier? Here are some tips that can help.

Go Room By Room

Don’t tackle the whole house at once. Start with smaller or lower-emotional rooms first to gain momentum and gradually work your way to larger spaces. Begin in the bathroom, garage, closet, or kitchen. There are always easy things to declutter in these areas!

For instance, in the bathroom, dispose of expired medicines and half-used products. Donate old towels and duplicate or unopened items. In the kitchen, throw away expired food or chipped dishes, and donate duplicate utensils or unused gadgets. Take an honest look at your clothes closet and donate anything you haven’t worn for 12 months, uncomfortable shoes, or outdated styles. In the garage or storage areas, dispose of broken tools, dried paint, and old hardware and electronics. Donate unused holiday decorations, old hobby supplies, and outgrown sports equipment.

The Four-Box Method

For each room, have four boxes: Keep, Sell, Donate, and Trash. It takes less time to sort when every item must be placed in one of these four boxes. If you’re on the fence about keeping an item, you can set it aside to decide later. Of course, there’s no shame in keeping an item you’re unsure about. But as you gain momentum, you will find that it is easier to let go of unused items.

Envision Your New House

If you’re still having trouble deciding whether to keep an item, envision it in your new house. Where will you put it? What purpose will it serve? Do you have space to store it? If you can’t envision how that item or furniture fits into your new space, it’s likely time to let it go.

Remember, Peavler Moving and Storage Has Storage Units!

Sometimes, there are furniture, items, or antiques you just can’t get rid of, even if they don’t fit into your new space. That doesn’t mean you have to get rid of them! Peavler Moving and Storage has convenient and affordable storage units that allow you to keep these prized possessions without overwhelming your living space. Our quality units keep your possessions safe and in excellent condition so you can use them whenever you want.

Ready to get started? Get a free quote today!